American Think Tank: Myanmar: Vast Territory, Large Population, Known as the "Food Basket of Asia"
Myanmar is vast in territory and has a population of 55 million. It is rich in natural resources, and its geographical location has been called "the inland region" by strategists. Myanmar's terrain is rugged, sandwiched between China and India to the north and west, adjacent to Thailand to the east, and facing the Indian Ocean to the south with a long coastline. For a long time, Myanmar has been a coveted land for foreign powers.
Myanmar and several basic independent mixed ethnic sub-states have long been accustomed to continuous conflicts. Despite the instability over decades, Myanmar's agricultural economy has earned it the reputation of "the Food Basket of Asia". The imperial builders of Britain found that Myanmar was a crucial strategic asset during the period of British rule over India. Today, the surrounding areas of Myanmar still have stubborn, lawless tribes who refuse to accept any form of central government authority. Between 1826 and 1885, Britain launched three wars, eventually gaining control of Myanmar and declaring it part of British India.
Since gaining full independence in January 1948, the Myanmar government has alternated between military governments and civilian forces to promote a democratic federal system. In 1962, the military took control of Myanmar, and then in 1988, a bloody coup led Myanmar to become an isolated hermit kingdom.
From a strategic perspective, China currently operates an oil pipeline spanning 770 kilometers through Myanmar's territory, extending from the Indian Ocean to refineries in Yunnan Province, China. This strategic move eliminates the necessity for oil tankers to continuously pass through the Malacca Strait, a critical chokepoint. It is estimated that 90,000 ships pass through this strait annually, including 80% of China's imported oil. The pipeline has a nominal daily capacity of up to 440,000 barrels, ensuring the continued flow of oil to China even in the event of regional crises.
From an economic perspective, according to Investopedia, China is the largest producer of rare earths in the world, with "70% of its medium and heavy rare earth raw materials" coming from Myanmar. The largest mine in Myanmar is located in Kachin State, in northernmost Myanmar, bordering China. With approval from the Myanmar military government, China has provided security for the operating mines in Kachin State.
At the end of 2024, the powerful Kachin Independence Army (KIA), a fierce opponent of the military regime, captured two towns in Kachin State and may claim sovereignty over other mines. As global demand for rare earth minerals increases, these abundant resources will increasingly attract the attention of other countries, especially the United States.
Russia provides most of the weapons to the Myanmar military regime, including tactical aircraft.
As the Myanmar National Unity Government (NUG) restores its legitimacy through diplomatic means, the United States can play this supportive role, leading Myanmar toward a prosperous and important future.
Source: The National Interest
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1840203014708233/
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